Baltimore Ravens Training Camp Profile: Aaron Mellette

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

As a seventh-round pick from a small school like Elon, it’s easy to fly under the radar. Aaron Mellette, however, is looking to break cycle and make a difference for the Baltimore Ravens during his rookie campaign.

You’d need to look no further than Mellette’s college production to see that he’s more than capable of making plays. Throughout his four-year career at Elon, he racked up 4,254 yards and 44 touchdowns on 304 receptions, albeit against lower-level competition.

Although Mellette lacks elite explosiveness, he possesses above-average speed (4.54 40-yard time) and the polish that receivers need to contribute in the NFL. Mellette runs clean routes, displays smooth hips and has the size to compete with opposing cornerbacks, but needs to add significant strength after putting up only nine reps on the bench press at the NFL Combine.

Once Ravens training camp kicks off, Mellette will go head to head with several other receivers looking to earn a significant role in the passing game. Considering that, behind Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones, the depth chart is wide open, Mellette is in a perfect position to earn himself some snaps by the time the regular season arrives.

Before that happens, though, Mellette will have to overcome hopefuls like Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson, David Reed, LaQuan Williams and Tommy Streeter. The Ravens have a number of promising young pass-catchers on the roster, but have yet to see the type of impact play from any of their returning receivers. That means the door is open for Mellette to earn a role in the Ravens’ passing attack early.

If Mellette puts together an impressive training camp, there’s a good possibility the rookie sees significant snaps this upcoming season.

The last two seasons, Thompson and Williams earned roles as undrafted rookies. As a seventh-round pick, Mellette’s chances of achieving similar success seem pretty strong.